Officials hope Lionel Messi, Inter Miami’s match in Baltimore serves as catalyst for soccer in city
Updated: 5:35 PM EST Feb 12, 2026
One of the world’s most recognizable soccer stars will soon step onto the pitch at M&T Bank Stadium.Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami squad will face D.C. United on March 17 — the first major match that Baltimore is hosting since summer 2024.Mayor Brandon Scott said the match will be a catalyst for the sport’s growth in Baltimore.”We’re a sports town. We’re a soccer town, and Baltimore is a city that knows how to ride together,” Scott said Thursday. “We are proud to welcome D.C. United and professional soccer here to Baltimore next month, but more importantly for the years to come.”The CEO of D.C. United said he’s working behind the scenes with local and state leaders, including Baltimore native Carmelo Anthony, to bring a development academy to the city. Then, the goal would be to bring a professional team to Baltimore. “With the World Cup on the horizon, there is no better time to bring Major League Soccer to our city, to Charm City. Because we all know that above all else, Baltimore is a sports town. From the Ravens to the Orioles to our collegiate — we’ll be seeing our CIAA tournament here in a few weeks — to our winning high school teams. We’ve got a strong, passionate soccer fan base, and we’re ready to bring all of that energy to this match,” Scott said.
BALTIMORE —
One of the world’s most recognizable soccer stars will soon step onto the pitch at M&T Bank Stadium.
Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami squad will face D.C. United on March 17 — the first major match that Baltimore is hosting since summer 2024.
Mayor Brandon Scott said the match will be a catalyst for the sport’s growth in Baltimore.
“We’re a sports town. We’re a soccer town, and Baltimore is a city that knows how to ride together,” Scott said Thursday. “We are proud to welcome D.C. United and professional soccer here to Baltimore next month, but more importantly for the years to come.”
The CEO of D.C. United said he’s working behind the scenes with local and state leaders, including Baltimore native Carmelo Anthony, to bring a development academy to the city. Then, the goal would be to bring a professional team to Baltimore.
“With the World Cup on the horizon, there is no better time to bring Major League Soccer to our city, to Charm City. Because we all know that above all else, Baltimore is a sports town. From the Ravens to the Orioles to our collegiate — we’ll be seeing our CIAA tournament here in a few weeks — to our winning high school teams. We’ve got a strong, passionate soccer fan base, and we’re ready to bring all of that energy to this match,” Scott said.